Spool-holder.



W. A. COURTLAND.

vSIOOL HOLDER.

. APPLICATION FILED MAY 24, 1911. Patented Mar. 19

2 SHEETS-SHEBT 1.

coLUMlM PLANDGRAPM Cu.. WMMINANN. D. C.

W. A. COURTLAND.

SPOOL HOLDER.

APPLICATION PILBD MAY 24. 1911.

1,020,401. Patented Mar.19,1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

@Kmme/3: I Sme/Mofa gi mm@ #Pw/m d, 6m

COLUMBIA PLAN 1.4

i COVGI'.

WILLIAM A. COURTLAND, OF 'NEW YORK, N. Y.

SPOOL-HOLDER.

Specification of LetterslPatent.

Application led May 24, 1911.

Patented Mar. 19, 1912.

senza No. 629,141.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, IVILLIAM A. CoUm`- LAND, a citizen ot the United States, residing in the borough otl Brooklyn, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and uset'ul Improvements in Spool- Holders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates in general to im provements in spool or bobbin holders, and more particularly to a device `tor protecting and safeguarding silk or other valuable threads contained on spools or bobbins.

The object of my invention is to construct a spool 01 bobbin holding device of the kind wherein an operator is prevented from surreptitionsly removing a spool or bobbin from the holder, or from removing any part of said thread from the spool or bobbin, except in the manner intended.

Another object of my invention is to make a master key capable of controlling the latching mechanism to open the holder, when it is desired to replace an unfinished spool or bobbin or regain the end ot' a `lost thread.

To accomplish these and other objects I have made a safety spool and bobbin holding device of the kind wherein a spool or bobbin is placed upon a holder and a cover automatically latched to the said holder and means provided within said holder capable oit openingsaid holder when the thread has been completely unwound 'from the spool or bobbin.

With these ends in view I have devised a spool or bobbin holder, hereinafter described in detail and the 'features of novelty pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical section ot the holder with the cover latched thereto and a filled bobbin in position to prevent the nnlatching of said Figi 2 is a detail sectional view similar' to Fig. 1, but showing only a portion of the holder and with the thread removed from the bobbin, the plunger rod thrust inward and the latch released to allow the cover to be removed from the base of the holder. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the base showing only the rear portion oitI the cover in attached position. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line X-X looking to the right in Fig. 2. Fig.

5 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the opening line YMY looking to the right in Fig. 1. Fig. (3 is a detail view ot a portion ot' the cover showing how it is cut away to receive the latch. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing in ope ative p0si tion, the key 'for operating the parts to re lease the latch when a filled spool or bobbin is in position. Fig. S is a side view of the key. Fig. f) is a detail view in elevation, showing how the annular head on the sleeve is operated by the plunger rod to engage the latch to release it Yfrom the base ot the holder. Fig. l0 shows a modified form of the invention wherein an ordinary spool is used instead ot' a conical bobbin. Fig. 11 is a plan `view ot the spool cover relnoved. Fig. 1Q is a` view showing how a plurality o'l spools may be mounted on a common base or holder and be independently opel atable.

In the practical application and construction o't my invention, l is the holder or base on which is 'formed an upturned flange 2 with an enlarged portion or boss 3, on one side otsaid llange. Ilxtending upwardly from and preilerably integral with the base ot' the holder is a hollow, conical spool or bobbin holder et. (S is the cover the bottom of which is arranged to [it within the flange 2 of the holder 1. The cover can be ol. any suitable formation but I preferably make it conical as shown in Fig. 1. lVhen ity is made as herein shown the bottom thereof is constructed with parallel sides so that it will tit snugly within the flange 2 of holder 11. Fastened to the inner wall ot the cover (5, in a manner to permit the lower end thereof to be acted upon, is a spring latch '10. On the lower end of this spring latch and extending outwardly lrom the center ot the holder, is a keeper or latch head 12. This spring latch normally rests against the inner wall ol the cover in such a manner that the keeper 12 will project through an opening 13 cut in the bottom ot the cover, as shown in Figs. 1, Q and G.

Formed on the outside of the cover near the bottom edge and diametrically opposite the spring latch, is a boss or knob 15 adapted to tit within a depression 16 formed in the inner wall oit the flange 2. rlhis boss or knob 2 acts as a means to aid the latch 1() in securing or locking the cover to the base. In the top of the cover 6 a small 1S is made through which the thread passes from the spool or bobbin to any desired place.

Extending outwardly within the enlarged portion 3 of the liange, is a recess 20. Into this recess projects the keeper or latch head 12, in a manner to engage the upper wall of said recess to hold the cover 6 in the p0sition shown in Fig. 1.

Extending radially through the enlarged portion 3 of the base, on a horizontal plane, is an opening 25. This opening 25 has two diameters, as shown at 25a and 25D, the larger diameter being directly under the latch receiving recess 20. Moving within this opening 25, and extending some distance without the base, is a controlling plunger rod 28. This plunger rod is placed in the position shown in Fig. 7, that is the end having the smaller diameter passes through and is guided by holes 8O in the conical bobbin holder 4, while the end of larger diameter passes through the opening 25 and projects beyond the periphery of the base 1.

Mounted on the reduced endl of the plunger rod 28, is a sleeve 35. On one end ot this sleeve is an annular head 36 which abuts the shoulder 37 on the plunger rod, and is held in position on the plunger rod by a collar 39, said collar being pinned to the plunger rod in a manner to abut the other end of the sleeve lt will be noticed that the annular head 36 is the same diameter and rides freely within the opening 25h. On the inner end of the sleeve and normally held in an upright position, is a stop finger 40, which when moved inward by the action of the plunger rod engages the thread on the bobbin and prevents the unlatching of the cover from the holder, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

In order toprevent the plunger rod from turning, I preferably make the collar 39 in the manner particularly shown in Fig. 5, that is, with two downwardly projecting lugs 42 which straddle a rib 45 formed on the upper inner surface of the base of the holder. Coiled around the collar 39 with one end fastened thereto, as shown in Fig. 5. is a spring 46. The free end of this spring 46 extends upwardly and engages a pin 48 on the finger 40, and tends to hold the said linger normally in an upright position.

In order to prevent the spring from throwing the finger 40 too far around, l place on said finger a stop lug 50 which engages one side of the rib 45 on the base 1 as shown in Fig. 4. Tt should here be noticed that the lower end of the spring latch 10 projects down below the keeper 12 and within the path of the annular head 36, so that when the plunger rod is thrust inward, after the thread has been removed from the bobbin, (see Fig. 3) the annular head Awill engage the latch 10 and disengage the latch head keeper from the base. The plunger rod 28 is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 1, that is, so that the linger 40 on sleeve 35 does not engage the thread on the bobbin. This is accomplished by mounting on the plunger rod, between the walls o-f the conical bobbin holder, an expansion spring 52, one end of which engages the wall of the spool holder and t-he other end a pin 56 on rod 28.

By having the finger 40 normally held in the position shown in Fig. 1, that is between the cover and the thread, a new bobbin or spool can be readily placed in position without adjusting, arranging or changing the operating parts.

The spool or bobbin G0, having wound thereon the thread 61, is placed over the upwardly projecting conical portion 4 of the base 1 in the manner shown in Fig. 1. ln the form shown here the spool or bobbin does not revolve but is held iirmly on the support 4. It will be noticed that sutlicient space is allowed between the thread and the cover to permit the thread to freely unwind.

The device is filled and operated in the following manner: First the bobbin having the thread wound thereon is placed on the bobbin holder 4, the loose end of the thread led out through the opening 18 in the cover, the cover placed in the position shown in Fig. 1, that is so that the boss 15 engages the depression 1G and the keeper 12 onllatch 10 engages the wall of recess 2O in the base of the holder. The cover is now locked in position and cannot be removed until the thread has been completely unwound from the bobbin. Any effort to remove the cover,

by operating the plunger rod, will result in i the finger 2O striking against the thread on the bobbin and preventing the annular head 36 from engaging the lower end of the latch 10. Then the thread has been completely unwound from the bobbin the plunger rod can be pushed in, that is until the finger 40 strikes the bobbin, as shown in Fig. 2. It will now be noticed that the annular head has engaged the lower end of the latch 10 and disengaged the keeper from the recess 20, thereby freeing the cover so that it can be turned back and removed from the holder, after which the empty bobbin is removed and a full one substituted and the cover again placed in the position first described. Particular attention is called to the fact that after a filled bobbin has been placed in position and the cover latched to the holder, it is impossible to remove the cover until the thread has been completely removed from the bobbin or spool.

There are times when it is necessary to open the holder to change the thread before the bobbin is emptied, or recover the thread when it breaks. To accomplish this T have made a key for operating the plunger and controlling the linger so that the latch can be released and the cover removed. By referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 it will be observed that the opening 25 is just a tr'ifle larger' than that portion of the plunger r'od which passes through it. The key (i5 is preferably made of a thin piece of tubing, the walls of which lit within the space ar'ound the plunger' rod in opening 25, when the key is thrust into the position shown in Fig. 7. On the inner end of the key is a plur'ality of prongs 66 which ar'e adapted to engage inv cor'responding holes 68 in the annular head 36 of sleeve 35. When it is desired to remove the cover, the key is placed over the plunger r'od and thrust into the position shown in Fig. 7 that is so that prongs 6G engage in holes 68 in the annular head 36. The knurled head 68 of the key is then turned until the nger 4() is moved to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. Plunger rod 28 can now be pushed in until the sleeve is in the position shown in Fig. 2, in which position the annular head releases the keeper on the latch from the base, whereupon the cover' is removed in the manner hereinbefore descr'ibed. After the cover' has been unlatched, the plunger rod, sleeve and finger are released and will immediately assume the positions shown in Fig. 1, after which the key is removed and the cover' again replaced in the manner descr'ibed. Of course it is understood that the key is never in the possession of the oper'ator, but is kept in the possession of some person in authority and only used when a change of a partially filled bobbin is desired or a broken thread occurs.

In Figs. 10, 11 and 12 a modified for'm is shown wherein a revolving spool is car'r'ied on a spindle held in a horizontal position. This form is particularly intended for spools of silk that are much smaller than the bobbin first shown and descr'ibed. In this form the parts ar'e the same except the spindle 70 which car'ries the spool. This spindle tapers at the inner' end as shown at 71 and by reason of friction prevents the spool from revolving too fast while the thread is being unwound. 72 is a spring fastened to the cover and tends to hold the spool on the taper of the spindle. The cover 75 is cut away at 76 the same as cover 6 in or'der' to permit the latch to engage the base of the holder'. To permit the thread to freely unwind fr'om the spool the cover is slit the full length of the spool, as shown at 78 in Fig. 11. If desired the base of the holder can be made large enough to hold a plurality of spools, but each one capable of being independently operated as shown in Fio. 12.

laims.

1. In a device of the character described, a spool holder, a cover' for' said spool holder', means for locking said holder and cover together', and means for releasing said locking means controlled by the contents of the spool.

'2. In a device of the character described, a spool holder, a cover' for said spool holder', means capable of automatically latching said holder and cover together', and means capable of unlatching said cover' and holder' after the contents of the spool have been removed.

3. In a device of the character described, a spool holder', a cover' for said spool holder', means for automatically latching said cover to the holder, and means for' releasing the latching means fr'om the holder' after the contents of the spool have been removed.

4l. In a device of the char'acter described, means for holding a spool, means for cover'- ing the spool, means for automatically latching said spool holding and covering means together', and means controlled by the contents of the spool for preventing the latching means from being operated.

5. In a device of the character' described, means for holding a spool, means for cover'ing a spool, means contained within said cover' for automatically latching said spool holder' and cover' together', and means contained within the holder' for releasing the latching means in said cover'.

6. In a device of the character' described, means for holding a spool, means for' cover'- ing a spool, means contained within the cover' for' automatically latching said cover' to the holder', and means contained within the holder' and oper'atable fr'om without the holder' for releasing the latching means.

7. In a device of the character described, a spool holder', a cover' for' said spool holder, inter'ior'ly arranged means for latching the holder' and cover' together', and interior'ly arranged means controlled by the contents of the spool, and operatable from without the device, for releasing the latching means.

S. In a device of the character' described, means for holding the spool, means for covering the spool, means for latching the spool holding' and covering means together, means for unlatching the spool holding and spool covering means, and means for preventing the unlatching means from being operated until after the contents of the spool have been removed.

f). In a device of the character described, a spool holder, a cover for said spool holder', a spring latch contained Within the cover' adapted to secure the holder' and cover' to gether, and a plunger' operated from without the holder and provided with means within the holder' capable of freeing the latch from engagement with the holder' when the contents of the spool have been removed.

10. In a device of the char'acter' described, a spool holder', a cover' for said spool holder,

a spring latch Contained Within the cover' tains thread.

l1. In a device of the character described, a spool holder, a cover for said spool holder, a spring latch for securing said holder and cover together, a plunger operatable from Without the holder, means on said plunger Within the holder for releasing the latch from engaging position, and means for engaging the contents of the spool to prevent the means on the plunger from releasing the latch.

l2. In a device of the character described, a spool holder, a cover for said spool holder, a spring latch for securing said holder and cover together, a plunger operatable from Without the holder, means on said plunger Within the holder for releasing' the latch from engaging position, means for engaging the contents ot the spool to prevent the means on the plunger from releasing the latch, and means for holding the said means on the plunger out of engagement With the latch and the contents of the spool.

18. ln a. device of the character described, a spool holder, a cover for said spool holder, means for latching said spool holder and cover together, means for releasing said latching means after the contents of the spool have been removed, and means capable Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Y

of releasing the latch before the contents of the spool have been removed.

14. In a device of the character described, a spool holder, a cover for said spool holder, means for latching said spool holder and cover together, means for releasing said latching means after the contents of the spool have been removed, and a key capable of controlling said latch releasing means before the contents of the spool have been to operate the latch releasing means before the contents of the spool have been removed.

16. In a device of the character described, a spool holder, a cover for said spool holder, an interiorly arranged latch for securing' the holder and latch together, means for releasing the latch, a plunger operat-able from Wit-hout the holder, means for engaging the contents of the spool to prevent the latch from being released, and a key adapted to control the plunger and remove the means on said plunger from engagement With the contents of the spool so that said latch can be released.

l/VILLIAM A. COURTLAND. Witnesses z M. G. CRAWFORD, `WILLIAM R. RICE.

Washington, D. C. 

